Tribal Relations

Tribal Consultation Policy

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s (SNC) mission is to initiate, encourage, and support efforts that improve the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities, and the citizens of California. The SNC recognizes that many of the programs, policies, and projects we initiate or participate in may impact the interests and ancestral homelands of California Native American Tribes. We are steadfast in our commitment to have meaningful tribal participation in decision-making processes that affect tribal interests.

The SNC has adopted a Tribal Consultation Policy to help establish and grow our working relationships with tribes. The Policy is the foundation and guiding document for SNC’s desires to work in partnership with tribes and engage in meaningful consultation. It establishes a formal process for government-to-government consultations and encourages relationship building through the inclusion of tribal participation in policy and program development. The Tribal Consultation Policy implements and builds on Executive Order B-10-11 and is consistent with the California Natural Resources Agency Tribal Consultation Policy (the California State government agency within which the SNC operates).

The SNC Executive Officer has appointed a Tribal Liaison as a primary contact to assist with building SNC tribal relationships. The Tribal Liaison coordinates the communication and consultation efforts of the SNC, responds to tribal inquiries, and advises the Executive Officer on policy matters relating to tribal affairs. At the request of a tribe, the Tribal Liaison will help facilitate government-to-government consultations or other meetings with SNC staff.

CEQA Tribal Notification Request Process

In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 21080.3.1, the SNC will consult with California Native American Tribes that are traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area of a proposed project. Although the SNC’s intent is to notify all tribes that may be impacted by any particular project, in order for the provisions of PRC Section 21080.3.1 to become entirely applicable, a tribe must request that the lead agency provide it with formal notification of the proposed project and, upon receiving notice from the lead agency, must respond in writing within 30 days to request consultation.

If a tribe would like to request consultation under CEQA when SNC is a lead agency for proposed projects within the tribe’s geographic area of interest, the tribe should send its request to the Tribal Liaison. Please include a list of California counties that contain any portion of the tribe’s traditionally and culturally affiliated geographic area, or submit a map of that area.